Download Support worksheet – Topic 3 Questions

Cambridge Physics for the IB Diploma
Support Worksheet – Option E, Worksheet 1
1
State the difference between a constellation and a stellar cluster.
[2]
2
Describe the nature of a star.
[2]
3
State the source of energy in a star.
[1]
4
Suggest how a star manages to be in equilibrium without collapsing under its own
weight.
[2]
5
Define the luminosity of a star and state two factors that affect the luminosity of a star.
[3]
6
Two stars have the same surface temperature but star X has double the radius of star
L
Y. Calculate the ratio of luminosities X .
LY
[2]
Two stars have the same radius but star X has double the surface temperature of star
L
Y. Calculate the ratio of luminosities X .
LY
[2]
8
Define apparent brightness.
[1]
9
Two stars have the same luminosity but the distance from Earth to star X is double the
b
distance to star Y. Calculate the ratio of apparent brightness X .
bY
[2]
Two stars have the same apparent brightness but the distance from Earth to star X is
L
double the distance from Earth to star Y. Calculate the ratio of luminosities X .
LY
[2]
7
10
11
Calculate the distance to a star whose luminosity is 4.5 1028 W and its apparent
brightness is 6.2 1012 Wm2 .
[2]
The peak wavelength in the spectrum of a star is 520 nm. Calculate the surface
temperature of the star.
[2]
13
State one property of a star that is determined by its spectral class.
[1]
14
State the spectral class of our Sun.
[1]
12
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Cambridge Physics for the IB Diploma
15
Complete the HR diagram below to show
L
T
16
a
the main sequence
[1]
b
the white dwarf region
[1]
c
the red giant region
[1]
d
Cepheid variables.
[1]
Two stars, labelled A and B are shown in the HR diagram below.
L
.
.
A
B
T
State and explain which star, A or B, has the greater radius.
17
[2]
Two stars, labelled A and B are shown in the HR diagram below.
L
.
.
A
B
T
18
19
State and explain which star, A or B, has the greater radius.
[2]
Describe how the stellar parallax method may be used to determine the distance to a
star.
[3]
Suggest why the stellar parallax method is limited to distances of about 300 pc for
Earth-based telescopes but can be extended to 1000 pc for satellite-based telescopes.
[2]
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